ISRAEL TO IRAQ: WE WON'T STRIKE FIRST

ISRAEL LINE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998

  Israel passed a message to Baghdad via Russia on Sunday saying that it
would not launch a preemptive strike against Iraq, HA'ARETZ reported. The
message was passed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent
meeting with Russian ambassador to Israel Mikhail Bogdanov.
  During that meeting, government sources confirm that Bogdanov reported a
conversation between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Russian Deputy
Foreign Minister Viktor Possovalyuk in Baghdad, in which the Iraqi dictator
said he had no intention of striking Israel if attacked by the United States.
  MA'ARIV reported that an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson announced on
Monday that the public should purchase sealant, but should not feel
compelled to close off rooms in their homes at this early stage.
  Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai said, however, that by purchasing the
sealant, the public would be prepared for any eventuality.
  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that security projections
concerning the possibility of an Iraqi attack on Israel have not changed,
and that such an attack remains unlikely.
  The Chairman of the Labor Party Knesset faction, Member of Knesset Eli
Goldschmit, said on Monday that the Labor faction would not initiate any
no-confidence votes until the crisis in the Gulf concludes, and added that
he will prevail upon other opposition factions to support the Labor
position. Labor Party Chairman Ehud Barak voiced his support for the move.


GAS MASKS AVAILABLE TO TOURISTS IF NECESSARY

  The Tourism Ministry announced on Monday that there are enough gas masks
for all tourists in Israel, THE JERUSALEM POST reported.
  The Ministry added that the gas masks would be made available if and when
a state of emergency is declared and they become necessary.
  A joint committee composed of officials from the Tourism, Finance and
Defense Ministries decided on Monday that tourists residing in hotels would
be allocated gas masks by the hotels, which have a supply on hand. The kits
would be distributed in accordance with instructions from the Defense Ministry.
  Tourists not staying in hotels will be able to get gas masks from the
Hamashbir and Shekem department stores, when and if the Defense Ministry
declares a state of emergency. A deposit of NIS 200 (approximately $57.00)
will be required for each kit, and the money will be refunded to tourists
when the kits are returned upon departure from Israel.



ISRAEL LINE